Pros
Working in grooming, you can accumulate long lists of returning request clientele. Tips are accepted (in grooming). For the most part, store management is very understanding. Will train you for most positions, and cross train to other sections of the store. Most stores have a tight, hard working staff, all or most of whom are easy to get along with. One free training course per employee, with a somewhat decent discount throughout the store. (Though this may change with further cutbacks to improve stock profits for shareholders.) If you look to continue work with dogs in the long run, you do learn a strong base line to build on while in the services, especially grooming. At this time last year, I would have rated the company a 4.5, but the values and the motivation to actually help and educate customers about their pets and to find reasonable and accurate solutions is gone. Handshakes with shady companies and hungry share holders has thrown all that aside for a feeding frenzy before the Petsmart ship ends up on dry land. I would recommend this company to a friend wanting to learn more about the basics of pets, but I would only recommend it as a part time gig. Full time just isn't going to happen these days unless you've been with a particular store for several years.
Cons
Company policies are becoming more and more constricting, and full time employees are the first to feel the hammer. Massive cuts in budgets and employment are leaving poorly functioning skeleton crews to work entire store. Little to no room for job improvement or promotions. Often there are minute hours on the schedule, at best. Pay for any of the company's services (ie salon, boarding, daycare, etc) is FAR UNDER what it should be. Working in a small room for 8+ hours a day with between 6-15 other women can be extremely frustrating, and the catty nature comes out in brutal force (but find a grooming salon that isn't the same...). HARSHLY forced to push sales on their new "Pet Expressions", despite continued evidence that the sprays don't set and can ruin furniture, car interiors, or clothing and carpets. (Can even stain a dog's coat for extended periods of time.) After becoming a "public share" company, most valued aspects of the company have gone. Won't be surprised when Charities becomes as crooked as the Red Cross or March of Dimes as well, when only $.10 of every dollar is considered a donation, all else is profit. District managers have no concern for workplace environment, they only push threats and higher sales.
